Few inventions have changed the world as much as gunpowder has. But did you know that its creation may date back nearly 2,000 years? It's one of the so-called Four Great Inventions of China, and it likely all started with an accident. In this in-depth book, readers will learn more about the long and intricate background of gunpowder, from its unlikely beginnings to its use in old Chinese weapons and fireworks and its spread throughout the world. Photos...

"The story of socialism and communism is a saga of idealism and cynicism, revolution and repression, power and powerlessness. The entire political and economic history of the modern era is contained in this account, forming a detailed and lively panorama. The world is still grappling with age-old questions regarding governance, equality, justice, and freedom. As this enthralling text details so vividly, socialism and communism attempted to answer...